“During a recent visit to several of the beautiful islands of Polynesia, I recorded all the information that I could collect respecting
them, and my observations thereupon.”
“The following sketches are an attempt to describe what I beheld of the scenery of these islands, together with the manners, customs, manufactures, &c. of the people.”
“Formerly I had read much respecting the South-Sea Islands, and their scenery, productions and inhabitants, as described in the various works that I perused, captivated my imagination.”
“The importance of these islands as respects their capability of producing those articles of commerce which are peculiar to tropical climates, has not sufficiently excited the attention of the mercantile community of Great Britain.”
“As by our commerce we have attained that prosperity which ranks our country so high among European nations, every subject, which is connected with it, ought to be considered of importance …”
“… the commerce of the Sandwich Islands alone, by the industry and perseverance of the enterprising people of the United States of America, is calculated at a million and upwards of dollars annually, and may be considered to be gradually on the increase.”
“This commerce, through our neglect, has for years been enjoyed solely by the American merchants; even now, excepting two or three mercantile speculators, but of trivial importance, who are British subjects …”
“… the trade is exclusively confined to the merchants of the United States, who have laudably permitted no opportunity to escape by which their commerce might be extended, and it is gradually now on the increase over the Polynesian Islands.”
“Not only in a mercantile point of view are the Sandwich Islands of importance; their geographical situation renders them an acquisition when politically considered, more particularly since the South American States have gained their independence.”
“The Americans view those islands with a jealous eye, and dread seeing them in the possession of a foreign power; they are well aware of their importance …”
“… and the visits of their ships of war for the purpose of keeping up a close intercourse with the king and native chiefs has become of late very frequent.”
“The following account of the visit of the American ship of war Vincennes, with the accompanying document sent by the Government of the United States to the King of the Sandwich Islands, sufficiently demonstrates the interest taken by them in these islands.”
“On the 15th Capt. Finch and his officers met the king and chiefs at the palace of Kauikeaouli, where they were gratified with a friendly reception.”
“The commander of the Vincennes then read a communication of his own to the king, and gave him both the original and a translation in the native language.”
“He then read also the communication from the President of the United States to the King of the Sandwich Islands, which he had brought; the same being read also from a translation into the native language, was delivered into the hands of the king.”
“This being finished, Capt. Finch delivered the presents which the President had sent. A pair of globes, terrestrial and celestial, and a map of the United States, to the King.”
“A silver vase to Kaahumanu, with her name and the American arms upon it. Two silver goblets to Nahienaena, with her name and the American arms. A map of the world to Governor Boki; and also a map of the world to Governor Adams.”
“The missionaries at the Sandwich Islands are now solely Americans, and all communication with the government being carried on through them as interpreters, all their acts must naturally tend to benefit that country alone of which they are citizens.”
“Civilization and commerce will gradually advance, if the first undertakings in the latter are not commenced on too extensive and too expensive a system.”
“The value now attached to coco-nut oil, since the late valuable discovery of its capability of being manufactured into candles, will render it an extensive article of commerce, and the tree is abundantly produced over nearly the whole of Polynesia …”
“… varieties of flax, Béche de mer, tortoise shell, &c. are now procured, and, by attention, sugar, cotton, and other tropical produce might be readily cultivated; the sugar manufactured by Mr. Bicknell and my friend Mr. S. P. Henry, at Tahiti, was of a superior kind and of a remarkably fine flavour, and affords an instance of what these islands are capable of producing.”
“A great benefit would be conferred on the navigators of the Southern Pacific, studded as it is with an infinite number of islands, reefs, &c. and the anxiety and danger would be diminished …”
“… if the British Government would send annually a small vessel of war from Sydney, for the purpose of surveying and ascertaining accurately the positions of the various islands, groups of islands and reefs.”
“The number of new discoveries annually made by the English and American whalers are very numerous, but the situations as laid down by them, are seldom to be depended on.”
“A vessel appointed for the purpose of survey should touch at Oahu, Sandwich Islands, and Bay of Islands, New Zealand, those being the principal ports of resort for the whalers and other vessels frequenting this sea …”
“… every information respecting recent discoveries could be readily obtained at those places, and of which, during my visit to the former port in December 1829, there existed a long list, most of which were not to be found in the charts.” (George Bennett, Member Of The Royal College Of Surgeons In London; in the Islands in 1829)
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